Thinking and Teaching With Purpose

The past couple of weeks have been a very trying time. I'm taking social distancing very seriously, only leaving the house to get groceries once a week, and to go for a walk or read outside. I've been paranoid about getting sick because I have asthma, and this constant anxiety is new for me. I'm used to having a routine, having everything under control. I miss going to work and seeing my students, and feeling like I've earned the time to relax in the evening. I miss going to the gym. I was finally getting good at meal planning and macro tracking, and was so excited to see more results. Now I'm stuck in the house most days, with just a few dumbbells and a bench. I'm not burning nearly as many calories, but I'm still snacking out of boredom. It's been frustrating to feel like I'm doing so much for my students and yet not enough at the same time. I spent time putting together enrichment activities and grading their writing,  to find that only a small

As a result of my dive into past classes, I am more cognizant of the ways that I have benefitted as a teacher in the ASTL program. The chart below organizes some of my thoughts as I reflect on the changes I have made and can still make. Priorities Action Plan Area 1: Classroom -More organized bulletin boards -More skills-based activities available -Shelving and tables -Switch growth mindset board to computer side; find more posters and materials for each unit; make a better word wall! -Print out grammar practice coloring pages, word searches, crosswords, etc. Create drawers to organize them, and include puzzle books and maybe an actual ongoing puzzle table -Ask the custodian for another bookshelf, and see if there are any extra tables available to make alternative workstations Area 2: Planning -Create curriculum map where we can insert our UBD units/lessons  -Work on themed units that contain UBD plans, individualize by team -Both are beginning to